Edit Mesonoemacheilus guentheri
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Name
Scientific name
Mesonoemacheilus guentheri
Described by
Authority Day, Year 1867, Bracketed
Family
Nemacheilidae
Common names
Not recorded
Photograph credits
All 8 credited
Summary
Mesonoemacheilus guentheri is a loach from the Western Ghats of southern India, described from the Nilgiri Hills and since recorded in Kera…
Size and aquarium
Maximum size
60mm, standard length
Aquarium size
Minimum length 60 cm, Minimum depth 30 cm, Water movement High: fast-flowing river or riffle
Water
Water conditions
Temperature 19–25.5°C, pH 6–7.5
Hardness
2–12dGH
Conductivity
Not recorded
Behaviour
Temperament
Not recorded
Social needs
A shoal or group
Community suitability
Community-safe
Where it lives
Countries, regions, rivers and lakes
India
Writing
Etymology
Mesonoemacheilus: from the Greek meso, meaning 'half', nema, meaning 'thread, filament', and cheilos, meaning 'lip', in reference to the relatively less deeply…
Distribution
Described from 'rapids' on the slopes of the Nilgiri Hills, western Tamil Nadu state, southern India. The Nilgiris fall within the boundaries of the Nilgiris U…
Habitat
Inhabits clear, well-oxygenated, headwater streams and minor rivers. These are often shaded by surrounding forest cover with the substrate normally composed of…
Aquarium size
An aquarium with a base measuring at least 60 ∗ 30 cm is recommended.
Maintenance
Not difficult to maintain under the correct conditions. We strongly recommend keeping it in a tank designed to resemble a flowing stream or river with a substr…
Water conditions
Not written yet
Diet
Mesonoemacheilus species are omnivorous although the bulk of their diet consists of small insects, worms, crustaceans and other zooplankton with only relativel…
Behaviour and compatibility
This species can apparently exhibit contrasting behaviour in captivity with some aquarists reporting it to be peaceful while others claim it to be territorial …
Sexual dimorphism
Males have a small suborbital flap and may develop thickened pectoral fin rays with rows of tubercules when sexually mature, as has been observed in M. herrei.…
Reproduction
Unrecorded in captivity and little has been written about its natural life history, but success with the congener M. triangularis was reported by an American a…
Notes
Outside of India this species is most commonly-encountered as bycatch among shipments of M. triangularis though some specialist retailers do occasionally offer…
References
References
12 on this profile